Federal Managers Association

For more information on how to get involved in Public Service Recognition Week, please visit http://www.excelgov.org/psrw.

OPM LEADER SPEAKS ON RETIREMENT CHANGES AT FMA CONVENTION

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Linda Springer recently addressed delegates at the Federal Managers Association’s (FMA) 69th annual National Convention and Management Training Seminar. In her keynote address, the Director detailed several changes OPM is hoping to make to allow retirees to come back to the federal government without financial penalty.

Under a legislative proposal sent by OPM to Congress, federal retirees would be able to return to federal service part-time while still being able to collect their full annuity. Current law prevents retirees from receiving a fully annuity if they come back to work for the government. Under the restriction, the salary they receive is reduced by the amount of their pension.

In her speech, Springer acknowledged that once retirees leave federal service, they often work for government contractors, which typically costs the government more than if the employee would have continued to work for the government. Under the plan, retirees could work up to 1040 hours in a year, for a maximum of six years without penalty.

FMA members attending the Convention were very vocal about their support for the initiative. “This proposal would allow the federal government to retain the talent it is sure to lose to retirement in the coming years,” commented FMA National President Darryl Perkinson. “I want to thank Director Springer for taking time out her busy schedule to speak on this issue.”

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WHAT’S HAPPENING ON CAPITOL HILL?

SENATORS AIM TO REDUCE GOVERNMENT ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Ranking Member Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) introduced S. 1115, the Energy Efficiency Promotion Act, which would reduce our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels by improving energy efficiency in vehicles, buildings, home appliances and industrial equipment.

"The Energy Efficiency Promotion Act will reduce consumers' future energy bills by getting more from the energy we produce," Bingaman commented. "High energy prices and the threat of global warming are very much on Congress's agenda this year. This bill is an effective step toward addressing both problems."

The legislation specifically targets the federal government, requiring that it increase its purchase of renewable energy to 10 percent by 2010, to 15 percent by 2015 and requires new buildings be entirely fossil fuel independent by 2030. It would also require federal and state vehicles to reduce fossil fuel consumption by 30 percent by 2016. As a whole, the legislation, which targets more than just the federal government’s energy consumption, would reportedly save at least 50 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year, which is equivalent to powering 4.8 million U.S. households.

"This bill is part of a broader attempt by our committee to provide incentives that will encourage Americans to embrace more energy efficient homes and businesses," Domenici said. "Our bill will allow consumers to save money by reducing energy usage. We think the federal government can set an example by improving the energy efficiency of its own facilities."

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH?

CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICERS RELEASE 2006 ANNUAL REPORT

The Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council released its 2006 Annual Report to Congress on April, 12, 2007. The CHCO Council, which is comprised of top agency personnel officials, is chaired by Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Linda Springer and is required by law to submit a report on its activities to Congress each year.

Several changes occurred during 2006 and appear in the annual report. Some of these changes include the creation of Deputy CHCOs to help improve communication between the Council and Federal Human Resource Directors. The Council’s Committee structure was also reorganized to create six new subcommittees: Emergency Preparedness; Hiring and Succession Planning; Human Capital Workforce; Human Resources Line of Business; Learning and Development; and, Performance Management. The final change highlighted in the report allows for the expansion of the CHCO Council Training Academy which was originally only open to CHCOs but now has been expanded to allow a CHCO to send three attendees from their organization as well.

"The CHCO Council plays a valuable role in shaping the federal workforce to meet its complex challenges," said Linda Springer. "The changes to the Council, as outlined in this year's CHCO report, allow it to be even more adaptable and responsive to the needs of federal agencies and their workforces."

For more information please visit: www.opm.gov

BEST PLACES TO WORK SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED

The National Regulatory Commission bested over 280 other federal agencies in employee satisfaction and engagement, according to the 2007 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings, released this week. Also topping the list are the Government Accountability Office, the Securities and Exchange Commission, NASA and the Justice Department (DOJ).

The report, reflecting the views of over 221,000 federal workers, also found a widening gap between the first and last ranked agencies, which has increased by 19 percent since 2005. Among the 26 agencies that participated in the rankings since 2003, the gap has increased by 83 percent.

“The best are getting better, and the worst are getting worse,” said Max Stier, president of The Partnership for Public Service (which, along with American University's Institute for the Study of Public Policy Implementation, authored the report). “That's a problem ... and it's something we obviously need to focus a great deal of attention on.”

Various other trends are highlighted in the report. Among racial/ethnic groups, Asians scored highest in overall employee satisfaction, with Hispanics second. Women are slightly more satisfied than men, and employees under the age of 40 have higher satisfaction scores than those 40 and over. The highest-scoring “best in class” workplace categories are, in order: employee skills/mission match, teamwork, pay and benefits, and work/life balance.

The most improved large agency is the Social Security Administration (SSA), increasing its index score from 60.6 in 2005 to 66.5 in 2007, an improvement of almost 10 percent. While SSA enjoyed the greatest improvement from last year the Department of Justice has shown the greatest improvement since 2003, with a 21 percent increase in its score. The Department of State is the only other large agency whose employee satisfaction score posted a double-digit percentage increase during that same time period.

On the flip side, the Department of Homeland Security ranked 29th out of 30 large agencies, even though its index score improved by 1.5 percent last year. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's score dropped nearly 13 percent from 2005, placing it 211th out of 222 federal subcomponent organizations. DHS Headquarters ranks 216th among subcomponents seeing its score drop 29 percent from 2005, the single largest decline of any subcomponent measured. However, the Transportation Security Administration, the lowest-rated federal subcomponent in 2005, showed a 6 percent increase and no longer ranks last.

“Not only do the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings provide federal managers and government leaders with a road map for improving employee engagement and commitment, the rankings also raise red flags for areas of concern,” said Stier. “In addition, the Best Places rankings provide job-seekers insight into the best opportunities for public service.”

For more information on the rankings, please visit www.bestplacestowork.org.

OPM ISSUES NEW REGULATIONS ON COMPENSATORY TIME FOR TRAVEL

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently released its final regulations on compensatory time off for travel which will go into effect May 17th. The biggest change is that federal employees will no longer receive compensation time for official travel that occurs on a federal holidays. The new rules also make clear that compensatory time earned must be used within 26 pay periods.

Compensatory time for travel is earned when the employee is traveling on official business and is away from their official duty station. Creditable travel situations include travel from an official duty station to a temporary duty station, travel from a temporary duty station to a second temporary duty station, and the waiting time associated with travel.

For more information please visit: http://www.opm.gov/oca/pay/HTML/compensatory_time.asp.

OSC SEES RISE IN HATCH ACT COMPLAINTS

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), which investigates and prosecutes Hatch Act violations, has seen a surge in new complaints bringing its total for 2006 to just shy of 300. This represents a 22 percent increase in complaints from 2005. Despite the increase in complaints, the OSC only issued 76 warning letters, a considerable decrease from the two previous years.

The OSC is charged with, among other things, the responsibility to interpret and enforce the Hatch Act, which addresses the political activities of those employed by federal, state, and local government. As part of its interpretive role, OSC issued more than 3,000 advisory opinions in 2006. Most recently it changes its stance on “water cooler” conversation that may take place over e-mails because of four Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) rulings.

“The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from sending e-mails that advocate for a political party or candidate for partisan public office while on duty or in a federal building, and engaging in such activity may subject them to disciplinary action, including the loss of their job. No political activity means no political activity, regardless of the specific technology used,” commented Special Counsel Scott Bloch regarding the recent MSPB rulings.

For more information on the Hatch Act, please visit: http://www.osc.gov/hatchact.htm.

HSA CONTRIBUTIONS NOW AVAILABLE WITH PRE-TAX DOLLARS

Under the Federal Flexible Benefits Plan (FEDFLEX), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has arranged for federal employees enrolled in high deductible health plans to contribute to their Health Savings Accounts(HSA) with pre-tax dollars.

In a benefits administration letter obtained by GovExec.com, Robert Danbeck, OPM Associate Director for Human Resources Products and Services, explains that OPM, in conjunction with payroll providers and employee self service systems, will allow those eligible to designate pre-tax dollars towards their HSAs by January 1, 2008. Depending on the payroll provider, this benefit may be available as early as the end of April. For more information on your agency’s participation and effective date please contact your payroll provider.

For more information on Health Savings Accounts, please go to www.opm.gov/hsa.

NATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Several federal employees were recognized at the 2007 National Public Service Awards (NPSA) ceremony. This year’s winners include Peter Blumberg, PhD, Barbara Dorf, James Hartwell, Jr., Thomas Muehlenbeck and Mark Pisano, PhD.

The NPSAs have been awarded since 1983 by the American Society for Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration to honor public servants who make outstanding contributions and whose accomplishments serve as models of public service. The NPSA recognizes career managers at all levels who exhibit the highest standards of excellence, dedication, and achievement over a sustained period of time.

Peter Blumberg , PhD is the Director of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics. He was recognized for identifying promising scientists in biology and chemistry and, since 1999, has brought six deaf scientists into his group at NCI. To better ensure equal opportunity, Blumberg taught himself sign language to simplify communication and make the young scientists feel fully integrated into the work environment in his lab.

Barbara Dorf is the Director of the Office of Departmental Grants Management and Oversight in the Office of Administration within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Mrs. Dorf was awarded the NPSA for being at the forefront of efforts to move HUD to true public-private partnerships by establishing, among other things, satellite broadcasting, Webcasting, and cable television materials for HUD programs. In doing so, she brought government training to the community rather than having the community come to the department.

James Hartwell, Jr . is a program manager at the United States Air Force’s (USAF) Hurlburt Field in the Test and Evaluation Squadron. As a retired military officer and civilian public servant, his ‘service before self’ mentality has benefited his community and country. An example of this mentality was evident after Hurricane Katrina when he traveled to Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana to assist victims in cleanup and recovery in the aftermath that terrible disaster.

Thomas Muehlenbeck is the city manager of Plano, Texas and previously served in the same position in five other cities. He was acknowledged for his expansion of Plano’s emergency operations in the wake of 9/11, his passion for the environment, and his personal commitment to mentoring young professionals in municipal governance careers.

Mark Pisano , PhD is executive director of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). He was recognized for his role in activities related to the Regional Transportation Plan that SCAG adopted in 2005 and for his work as founding president of the LINC/Corporate Fund for Housing, a public/private corporation that develops subsidies to supplement loss of federal low-income housing subsidies.

“The most recent winners of the NPSAs are just another example of the incredible work being done by federal employees throughout government,” commented FMA National President Darryl Perkinson. “Along with the awards winners from our 69th annual National Convention, these fine individuals represent the best of what public service can provide the American people in the way of innovation, leadership and dedication.”

PRESIDENT MAKES RECESS APPOINTMENTS, EMERSON LEAVES IRS

While Congress was away on spring recess, President Bush made two noteworthy recess appointments, including Susan Dudley to the position of administrator at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Carol Pope to serve as member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA).

Dudley, a former academic most recently at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center, was originally nominated to the position in July, but she failed to be confirmed by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Carol Pope was appointed to serve a second term as the sole democrat on the three-person Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). The FLRA is an independent body that sets policy and arbitrates disputes between unions and agencies.

The Constitution grants the President the power to appoint individuals on a temporary basis while Congress is in recess. As stipulated in the Constitution, the two appointments will stand until the end of Congress’ current session, which happens to coincide with the end of President Bush’s final term in office.

In other Executive Branch news, Mark Everson stepped down as the Internal Revenue Service Commissioner and will be taking over as the President and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Over the past four years Mark Everson has held one of the toughest jobs in the country: Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service-the nation's tax collector. I want to thank Commissioner Everson for his hard work and service over the past four years. I wish him well in his new position at the American Red Cross,” said Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson regarding Everson’s departure.

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GET INVOLVED AT THESE EVENTS!

DATES FOR UPCOMING MID-YEAR CONFERENCE IN SAN FRANCISCO SET!

Please join us for FMA’s 16th Mid-Year Conference and Management Training Seminar, August 22 – 25, 2007 in San Francisco, California! This year’s Conference, Federal Management: A Golden Gate to a Career of Service , will be held at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Conference attendees will receive a special room rate of $130/night. You can make reservations by calling the hotel at 1-800-381-9552 and be sure to ask for the special rate for the Federal Managers Association group, code V65. Reservations must be made by July 21, 2007.

FMA members will be able to register for the Conference in the next coming weeks via FMA’s Web site at www.fedmanagers.org. Fees for the Conference are as follows:

Early-bird: $315 (until June 29, 2007), Regular: $365, (until August 3, 2007), and Late: $400 (until August 17, 2007). Please check back for the most up-to-date information!

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Long Term Care Partners, LLC , New FMA Corporate Partner. Long Term Care Partners is the administrator of t he Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program. Sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the Program is available to Federal and U.S. Postal Service employees and annuitants, active and retired members of the uniformed services, and their qualified relatives. With more than 210,000 enrollees, it is the largest employer-sponsored long term care insurance program in the country. FLTCIP policies are simple to understand and offer enrollees some distinct advantages, including comprehensive coverage, competitive and stable rates, international coverage, and administrative service standards that are the highest in the long-term care insurance industry. Policies are sold direct through a highly-trained, non-commissioned staff with no high pressure sales tactics – simply sound advice. Visit www.LTCFEDS.com or http://www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/index.asp for more information.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Federal Employee Program , FMA Sustaining Corporate Partner: The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association represents the independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. The 40 local member companies of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association have provided millions of families with top-quality, affordable health insurance for more than 70 years. For the one in four Americans who carry Blue Cross and Blue Shield cards, the Blue Plans symbolize health security. Visit www.fepblue.org and join the best, most-recognized group of health insurance providers in the world.

Wright & Co. , FMA Sustaining Corporate Partner: Wright & Co. has provided supplemental insurance programs to the Federal government for over 40 years. They have built strong relationships with insurance companies and service providers to offer these comprehensive benefits at low, affordable group insurance rates. Benefits include: Dental Insurance Plans; Term Life Insurance Plans; Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan; and Personal Umbrella Plan. Wright & Co. is also the originator of the Federal Professional Liability Program and provider of Disability Income Replacement coverage, underwritten by The Hartford, to all Federal employees. For more information, please visit: www.wrightandco.com

GEICO , FMA Corporate Partner: GEICO was created over 60 years ago to insure Federal employees. Over the years GEICO has continuously strengthened its affiliation with the Federal workforce. Today GEICO has a special program established to support the Federal community. GEICO’s Federal program participates in the following organizations and programs: GEICO Public Service Awards, which have honored Federal workers (active and retired) who have contributed to the public good since 1980; and GEICO Federal Leave Record Cards, which for over 40 years have been provided by GEICO to Federal employees, free of charge, to help them track their annual leave. Find out how much you could save with GEICO auto insurance as an FMA member by getting a line-by-line rate quote at: www.geico.com

Shaw, Bransford, Veilleux and Roth, P.C. , (SBVR) concentrates its law practice on the representation of Federal employees, with a special emphasis on the representation of executives and managers. SBVR serves as General Counsel to the Federal Managers Association and is uniquely situated to recognize the interests and viewpoints of Federal managers. For up to two free half-hour legal consultations and reduced legal fees as an FMA member, please visit: www.shawbransford.com

The Federal Managers Association and Management Concepts have teamed up to present the Federal Managers Practicum — a targeted certificate program for Federal managers. As the official development program for FMA, the Federal Managers Practicum helps FMA members develop critical skills to meet new workplace demands and deepen their managerial capabilities. FMA’s leadership fully recognizes the need to prepare career-minded federal employees to manage the demands of the 21st century workplace with greater competence and fully supports this unique and comprehensive certificate program. For more information, please visit: www.managementconcepts.com/fmp/fmpodp.asp

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The Washington Report is published biweekly by the Federal Managers Association.
Jessica Klement, Editor; FMA Staff Writers.

The Federal Managers Association, established in 1913, is the oldest, largest, most influential association representing the interests of the nearly 200,000 managers, supervisors and executives serving in today’s Federal government.

1641 Prince Street ~ Alexandria VA 22314-2818 ~ (703) 683-8700 ~ FAX (703) 683-8707 ~ E-Mail Info@fedmanagers.org

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